Judy Mowatt: Black Woman - 1982


Here we have this underrated and considerably overlooked release from I-Three Judy Mowatt. 

Compared to Marcia Griffiths, who had long been a recording star in her own right, and Rita Marley, who was married to Bob, Judy Mowatt received the least attention of the three. This was a bit of a shame as she had a rich, gospelly voice. 

Suitably, the songs she wrote herself for the album - Strength To Go Through, the tough and soulful Black Woman, Joseph, Slave Queen, Many Are Called and the wonderful, uplifting Rasta-inspired Sisters' Chant - are of a mainly spiritual nature, or concerned with awareness. 

Judy also covers three Bob Marley songs - the romantic skank of Put It On, which she does excellently, the iconic Concrete Jungle, which is done almost as well as the original, and the lesser-known Down In The Valley. Also covered is Freddie McGregor's Rastafarian number, Zion Chant. It's a really good album, this one. 


★ I could have chosen 1975's Mellow Mood album. The title track is Judy’s cover of one of Bob Marley’s early songs done in suitable melodic, light skanking style.


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